7 tips for selling your home
Thinking about selling your home? Here are seven things to think about.
According to Stuart Clark, interiors expert and managing director of Victory Blinds, there are certain things to look out for in selling your home effectively and efficiently.
Here are seven tips he has for ensuring a buyer quickly and at the best possible asking price.
1. Choose the right real estate agent
“Choosing the right real estate agent, with an in-depth knowledge of selling homes in your area and in a similar price range is crucial for a swift and pain-free journey,” Mr Clark said.
“Don’t simply rely on the number one search result on Google when looking for your real estate agent, do your research! Ask around among your friends, family members and social circles to ensure the potential candidates for your business have good word of mouth and are likely to represent you in an honest and respectful manner.”
2. Remember that first impressions are key
“It’s likely that everything a potential buyer wants to know about the atmosphere and look of the home will be made within the first 30 seconds of their viewing, so impressing them from the offset is key,” Mr Clark said.
“Take into consideration the first elements of the home they will see as they walk up the driveway and try to instigate that ‘wow’ feeling with your décor. A range of eye-catching plants and colourful flowers are always going to appeal, and a clean and tidy front porch or hallway will help them to visualise coming home to the same view every day.”
3. Declutter and spruce up your home
“Once that all-important first impression has been established and you’ve grabbed their attention, it is crucial that you carry this through and make your home look equally beautiful inside,” Mr Clark said.
“Declutter the floors and open spaces as much as possible so your lifestyle doesn’t impact their vision of a future in the home, and consider hiring a professional cleaner prior to the first viewings to ensure the property is being shown in the very best possible light.”
4. Don’t strive for the ‘show home’ look
“Despite ensuring a home looks clean and tidy, it is equally as important to make sure your home looks lived in and loved in order to portray a warm and cosy atmosphere that the majority of prospective buyers will be looking to find in their new homes,” Mr Clark said.
5. Stay out of the way
“It can be easy to get caught up in the process of organising successful viewings of the home you are looking to sell, but with the effects of the pandemic still so fresh in the minds of many, people won’t want too much interaction from others in confined spaces,” Mr Clark said.
“Be careful to practice safe social distancing if you’re home for viewings, leave out bottles of hand sanitizer and don’t make any situations awkward through attempting to shake hands.”
6. Make the most of outdoor space
“A garden or pool area is a big selling point for most houses, and showing off the vast potential of your outdoor space and what it can be used for could be the difference between being offered your asking price or having to take it for less than you deserve,” Mr Clark said.
“It’s well worth investing in some landscape redesign, patio furniture or fresh lawn if your garden isn’t looking quite as bountiful as your buyers might expect.”
7. Consider all the senses
“When people come in, obviously what they see will play the biggest part on whether they want to buy your home or not, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the other vital senses,” Mr Clark said.
“Make your home smell nice, light some candles, bake something that smells appealing and consider how different textures on the floor (soft rugs, marble effect flooring etc) will feel on buyers’ feet if they’ve been asked to remove their shoes prior to entering.”